How to Prepare to Live Through a Renovation

Renovating your space can be exciting, but if not planned well, it can leave you stressed and miserable, as you count down the days until completion. From our experience, here are a few actions that you can do on the front end to help everything go smoothly, while also allowing you to live in comfort during the process.

1.      Create a Good Line of Communication with Your Contractor 

Going into the renovation, you want to make sure that you and your contractor are on the same page. Talk through the timeline and talk through the decisions. Ask clarifying questions on anything you are unsure about. If there are any aspects of the renovation that you are handling yourself (buying appliances, painting etc), then make sure to talk through this as well. Putting in the work on the front end to make sure everyone is on the same page, will make any project go much smoother and faster. 

2.      Plan for Temporary Storage

If you are already losing part of your house as it is renovated, cluttering up the rest of your space with items that you are storing during the process is less than ideal. Find a room or area that can act as a temporary space where you can store everything without it being in the way. Pack things away that you don’t want to get dusty or items that may easily break, if they are left in the open. While most renovation companies will do all they can to minimize dust and dirt, some level of dust is inescapable. Packing these items safely away will allow more space for workers to work efficiently and help in minimizing your stress. 

3.    Plan for Living Around the Renovation

You want your life during the renovation to be as comfortable as possible. Create a temporary headquarters for yourself, where you can set up all your essentials (especially if your kitchen is going to be out of commission) such as coffee maker, toaster, microwave, etc.

If your bathroom is being renovated, try to downsize your toiletries to a single shower caddy or toiletries bag for ease of use.  Also talk with your contractor about possibly moving the fridge to an easily accessible space, and setting up a temporary sink if the plumbing in your house allows it. 

Just because your house is being renovated doesn’t mean you have to live in discomfort during the process. While these are a few great places to start, chat with your contractor and find what works best for you and your situation.